Roethlisberger: 'I have a little torn rotator cuff'

August 01, 2012|Sports Xchange

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (right) stands with head coach Mike Tomlin during their Monday Night NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco last December. (Reuters Photo)

Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday he has a torn rotator cuff, but the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback doesn't believe he'll be limited in any capacity this season.

“I'm good. It's OK, just sore,” he said. “I have a little torn rotator cuff. That doesn't heal. We just have to hope it doesn't tear the rest of the way, according to the doc.”

Roethlisberger said the injury occurred in November -- specifically the Nov. 6 loss to the Ravens. His arm strength doesn't appear to be diminished and Roethlisberger said none of his throws are impacted.

“It's part of getting older, too,” he said. “If you watch walkthroughs, I used to throw all the time. Now it's just backing off (throwing). Now I don't ever throw during walk-throughs. It's less throwing, I think that's smart anyway.”

Roethlisberger continues to work toward mastery of new coordinator Todd Haley's offense and step further away from the surprise and disappointment that came of the divorce from his close friend and coach Bruce Arians. Roethlisberger said Haley has been open to suggestions and vice versa, he's become more open to Haley's advice.

“Every day, we learn something new about either each other, the relationship, the offense -- something,” he said.

“I think (the offense) gives us great opportunities to use the weapons we have. We're still learning it, I mean, we put in part of the offense -- we haven't seen it all yet.”

They also haven't seen leading receiver Mike Wallace, a restricted free agent embroiled in a contract spat with the Steelers. General manager said all previous offers are now off the table as the two sides engage in a staredown Roethlisberger said he expects to end soon. He's talking regularly to Wallace, mainly to voice support, and said he expects to have him at practice in the near future.

“I don't know what's going on with his agent or what they're telling each other, but he wants to be here,” Roethlisberger said. “I believe he will be here and I think he'll be here soon.”

Wallace, a restricted free agent who balked at signing a one-year, $2.742 million tender, led the Steelers with 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns last season, just ahead of Antonio Brown (69-1,108-2) last season. Wallace wants a lucrative long-term extension.

Brown was rewarded last week with a five-year, $42 million contract extension.